17-substituted derivatives of 1, 11-epoxy-4-methyl-1, 3, 5(10), 9(11)-estratetraene



csterification.

17-SUBSTITUTED DERIVATIVES F 1,"1i-Ei*oxY -4 METHYL-1,3,5(10),9(11)-ESTRATETRAENE Frank B. Colton, Chicago, Ill., assignor to G. D. Searle & Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Application March 2, 1959 Serial N0. 796,265

10 Claims. 01. zen- 239.55

The present invention relates to a new group of 1,11- epoxy-4-methyl-1,3,5 ,9 1 1 -estratetraene derivatives substituted in the 17-position and more particularly to the compounds corresponding to the structural formula CH3, CH3 r t /\i i and I i l CH3 CH3 wherein R is a member of the class consisting of OH,

-OCO-(lower alkyl), CO CH --COCH OH ing precipltate is collected'ona filter, Washed with water and COCH OCO-(lower alkyl).

The lower alkyl groups refer to methyl, ethyl, straightchain and branched propyl, butyl, amyl, and hexylgroups. These compounds are active progestational, analgesic and local anesthetic agents.

enes of this invention can be conveniently prepared by mixing the corresponding 1,4-androstadiene-3,1l-diones with a hydrohalic acid, typically hydrochloric or hydrobromic acid. Concentrated acids or somewhat diluted acids are suitable. The reaction is preferably carried out by heating to a range of about -70" C., but it can also be conducted at room temperature if more time is allowed for completion.

The compounds of the foregoing structure in which R is a hydroxy group are conveniently prepared by reducing the corresponding 17-ketone with an alkali. metal borohydride or alkali metal aluminum'hydride. "The ester derivatives are most conveniently prepared by esterification of the free alcohol because the acid treatment used in the process of forming the epoxide causes de- The invention is disclosed in further detaiLin th following examples which are used for illustration only and are not to be construed as limiting in spirit or in scope. Quantities are indicated in parts by weight.

Example 1:

Under a nitrogen atmosphere a mixture of 2 parts of 1,4-androstadiene-3,11,17-trione and 10 parts of 48% hydrobromic acid is heated at 70 C. for 48 hours. During this time a precipitate forms which is collected on a filter and washed first with a small amount of concentrated hydrobromic acid and then with water. On recrystallization from acetone and water there is obtained 1,11-epoxy-4-methyl-l,3,5(10),9(11)-estratetraen- 17-one which melts at about 159-l60 C. The ultraviolet absorption spectrum shows maxima at 258, 280, and 291 millimicrons with molecular extinction coefficients of 11,000, 2,000 and 1,600. A minimum is observed at about 236 millimicrons. Infrared maxima 2,923,709 Patented Feb. 2, 1960 are observed at 5.79, 6.08,'.'6.27 and 6.84 microns. The specific rotation of an 0.5% chloroform solution is +284. The compound has the structural formula H: Example 1 To a solution of 2.16 parts of,1,11-epoxy-4-methyl- -1,3,5(10),9(1l)-estratetraen-17-one in 120 parts of ethanol are added 2 partsof sodium borohydride in 40 parts of ethanol and 50 parts ofwater. The mixture is maintained at room temperature for .40 minutes and then diluted with water. The resulting precipitate is collected on a filter, washed with water and crystallized from aqueous methanol to yield 1,11-epoxy-4-methyl-1,3,5(10), 9(11)-estratetraen-1'7p-ol. The crude product melts at about 8390 C.

Example 3 A mixture of 2 parts of 1,11-epoxy-4-methyl-1,3,5(10), 9(11)-estratetraen-17fi-ol, 17 parts ofv acetic anhydride and 10.parts of pyridine is maintained at room temperature 'for'7 hours and then treated with ice. The resultand recrystallized from aqueous methanol and then from a mixture of acetone and petroleum ether to yield 1,11- ep0xy-4-methyl-17,6-acetoxy 1,3,5 (10),9(11) estratetraene. Ultraviolet maximaare observed at 258, 281, and 292 millimicrons, with molecular absorption coefiicients of 11,600, 2,200 and 1,600 respectively. Infrared maxima are observed at about 3.41, 5.78, 6.01, 6.79, 6.91, 6.99, 7.21, 7.28, 7.38, 7.50, 7.60, 7.68, 7.91, 8.01, 8.16, 8.40, 8.70, 8.83, 8.95, 9.18, 9.58, 9.81, 10.02, 10.92, 11.23, and 12.31 microns. i

Substitution of equal parts of propionic anhydride for the acetic anhydride used in the foregoing procedure yields 1,11-epoxy-4-methy1-17,3-propionyoxy 1,3,5(10), 9,(11)-estratetraene. The compound thas'the structural formula CH3 O-C O-CzHr Example 4 A mixture of 5 parts of 1,4-pregnadiene-3,11,20-trione and50 parts of concentrated hydrochloric acid is maintained at 60 C. for two days. The resulting precipitate is collected on a filter, washed with concentrated hydrochloric acid and then with water to yield 1,11-epoxy-4- methyl-17fi-acetyl-1,3,5 l0),9 1 1) estratetraene. After crystallization from methanol it melts at about 181- 183 C. Additional yield is obtained by maintaining the hydrochloric acid mother liquors at 60 C. for an additional day and dilution with water. The ultraviolet absorption spectrum shows maxima at 258.5, 280 and 292 millimicrons with molecular extinction coefiicients of 11,200, 2,100 and 1,600 respectively and. a minimum at about 237 millimicrons. Infrared bands are observed at 5.89, 6.01, 6.23, 6.81, 6.95, 7.21, 7.38, 7.56, 7.61, 8.05, 8.18, 8.29, 8.45, 8.65, 9.20, 10.03, 11.20 and 12.45microns.

Example A mixture of 1 part of 21-hydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene- 3,11,20-trione and parts of concentrated hydrochloric acid is maintained at 50 C. for three days. The precipitate is collected on a filter, washed with concentrated hydrochloric acid and then with water and crystallized from methanol and water. Ultraviolet maxima are observed at about 258.5, 280 and 292 millimicrons with extinction coeflicients of 11,500, 2,000 and 1,600 respectively. Infrared maxima are observed at 2.8, 5.9 and 6.0 microns.

Example 6 A mixture of 1 part of 1,1l-epoxy-4-methyl-l7p-( 3- hydroxyacetyl)-1,3,5( 10) ,9( 1 l )-estratetraene, with 5 parts of acetic anhydride and 5 parts of pyridine is, maintained at room temperature for 2 hours and then poured into ice water. The resulting precipitate is collected on a filter and washed with water. There is thus obtained 1,1l-epoxy-4-methyl-l7fi-(fi -acetoxyacetyl) 1,3,5 (10), 9(11)-estratetraene. The ultraviolet absorption spectrum shows a minimum at about 236 millimicrons, and maxima at 258, 281 and 292 millimicrons with molecular extinction coeflicients of 11,300, 2,100 and- 1,500 re.- spectively.

Substitution of 5 parts of propionic anhydride for the acetic anhydride in the foregoing example yields 1,11- epoxy-4-methyl 17/8 (B propionoxyacetyl) l,3,5(10), 9(1l)-estratetraene which has essentially the same ultraviolet absorption spectrum as the foregoing acetate. The compound has the structural formula CH10-OO-CgH5 and 4 wherein Rv is a, member of the. classy consisting of 0H, --OCO-(lower alkyl), -CO-CH CO-CH OH and -COCH O-CO-(lower alkyl) 2. 1,11 epoxy 4 methyl l,3,5(10),9(11) estratetraen 17 one.

3. 1,11 epoxy 4 methyl 1,3,5(10),9(1l) estratctraen 17,8 ol.

4. A. lower alkanoic acid ester of 1,l1-epoxy-4-methyl- 1,3,5 ('10) ,9 l l')-estratetraen-17,3-01.

5. 1,11 epoxy- 4 methyl 17B acetoxy l,3,5(10),, 9( l l estratetraene;

6. 1,11. epoxy 4- methyl 17,3 acetyl- 1,3,5(l0), 9(11) estratetraene.

7. 1,11 epoxy 4 methyl 17,3 (B hydroxyacetyl) 1,3,5 (l0),9(11 estratetraene.

8. A lower alkanoic acid ester of 1,11 epoxy 4- methyl 17,8 (B hydroxyacetyl) 1,3,5(10),9(11)- estratetraene'.

9. The process for preparing 1,11-epoxy-4-methyl: 1,3,5( l0),9(11)-estratetraen -17 one which comprises heating 1,4-androstadiene-3,l1,17-trione. with hydrohalic acid.

10. The process for preparing a compound of the structural formula CHzX to *0 l l wherein X is a member of the class consisting of hydrogen and hydroxy which comprises heating a compound wherein X is defined as above, with hydrohalic acid.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,823,171 Fried et a1 Feb. 11, 1958 2,862,926 I Thomas et a1. Dec. 2, 1958 2,880,217 Thoma et al. Mar. 31, 1959 OTHER REFERENCES Tamm et al.: Experientia, vol. 13, pages -7 (1957).

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No, 2,923,709 February 2', 1960 Frank B ,Clolton It is herebfi certified that error appears in the-printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 3 line 2O Example 6. after -estratetr-aene" insert thus. obtained Signed and sealed this 9th day of August 1960.

(SEAL) Attest:

KARL H, AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSON Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A MEMBER OF THE CLASS CONSISTING OF THE COMPOUNDS OF THE STRUCTURAL FORMULAS 